spaceout's travel reports

The main city of Auvergne

Most anywhere you`ll be in Clermont-Ferrand, you`ll see the `Puy de Dome`. Puy de Dome is a major Extinct Volcano Mountain which stands at 1465M over the area. We found little parks here and there in the city. We wanted to visit some museums which were close to `Le jardin Le Coq`but for odd reasons they were all closed.

Favourite spots:

`Puy de Dome`is the place to go if you want to stand atop, with the wind playing in your hair while you watch the birds flying over the smaller volcanic mountains standing all around this mountain. It`s impressive to see the many conic shaped hills in the distance. Once you`ve stood taking pictures of the scenery you`ll probably enjoy the cafe/visitor center. Inside you`ll find detailled information about volcanoes and you can make arrangements for para-flying. If you hike to the higher summit you`ll discover a Roman ruin, The Temple of Mercury, and a monument to Eugene Renaux, a pioneer, airplane pilot who flew on the volcano in 1911. It was quite a feat those days.

What's really great:

The main attraction of Clermont-Ferrand is the Cathedral Notre Dame. Most of the oldest buildings of the city are built with volcanic rock, therefore the buildings are black, including the Cathedral. Notre Dame is huge. Inside everything is built with the same black volcanic rock, including the large pillars and the walls, with the cathedral ceilings it results in an eerie yet awed feeling.

Sights:

Behind the Cathedral Notre Dame you`ll find a `Trompe L`Oeil`from the famous painter Slobo. Also in the vacinity a water fountain was built within the same era using the same volcanic rock as the Cathedral. We walked from the Cathedral to the Fontaine D`Amboise, where you can also park your car (if you have one). Rue Desgras is teh street right across from the main doors of Notre Dame. There you`ll find assorted shops which sell anything from books to toys, cheese and wine.

Other recommendations:

Le jardin Le Coq is worth seeing although it is quite small. They have interesting plants and trees, and also a ruin which wasn`t identified.